CHAT News File Photo

By Darren Rathwell

MHPS expands online reporting service following crime spree

Jan 14, 2022 | 4:17 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – City police are working to expand their online service for reporting property crime, following an influx of tips about a rash of vehicle-related crimes this week.

Police say over the course of the pandemic they’ve been emphasizing the approach of online reporting of property crimes, and they’re now making additional room on their database for more photos and videos.

The change follows a challenging time for some residents who were trying to add their tips to the website, after a number of vehicles were broken into and vandalized Sunday night into Monday morning in Crescent Heights and Ross Glen.

Meanwhile, police are urging residents to report cases even if they think they’re not significant.

“We highly encourage you to do so. It helps us with our crime mapping. And even if we don’t get a solve every time it gives us an idea where to deploy patrol resources,” Medicine Hat Police Service Insp. Joe West said.

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He says police are also responding less in person to property crimes over the course of the pandemic. Sometimes they deal with less serious matters on the phone, as well as online.